Lord Sovereign
The Emperor of shitty fanfic
- Location
- England
-
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(AU) Evangelion: Sovereignty
- Thread starter Lord Sovereign
- Start date
Neepa
Always pondering story possibilities
- Location
- Germany
Well that didn't went as good for the two new Pilots. And I already thought so.
Plot development wise it was all to clear that the first fight would be the a fucking huge lection for them.
Also I like how Shinji reacted towards it. Push him over the edge and he goes off in your face like a N2 bomb.
However I have to admit it, that it seemed a tad too "much" for him. Maybe with a bit altered word choice it would have been perfect.
In the end I want more and faster.
My, my, my.... the team building will be good for quite some comedy.
Plot development wise it was all to clear that the first fight would be the a fucking huge lection for them.
Also I like how Shinji reacted towards it. Push him over the edge and he goes off in your face like a N2 bomb.
However I have to admit it, that it seemed a tad too "much" for him. Maybe with a bit altered word choice it would have been perfect.
In the end I want more and faster.
My, my, my.... the team building will be good for quite some comedy.
- Location
- Can't read map
So... team building will be: dance lesson like valcer, game from anime, video games (Dota, Battlefield), simulation with EVAs that arrange them into teams (like one which team Asuka/Samuel and Shinji/Rei, almost win of later team)... etc etc
Hope it's not something silly... but could be nice to hear reaction of pilots "kill me, this is soooooo beneath me", especially glory hunting ones?
Hope it's not something silly... but could be nice to hear reaction of pilots "kill me, this is soooooo beneath me", especially glory hunting ones?
UberNimrod
I scared Setsuna with my bad decisions.
- Location
- Between Hither and Yon.
They'll find an old Dance Dance Revolution machine somewhere. Make Samuel and Asuka try to keep in time with each other.
- Location
- Can't read map
Asuka: Nein! You can't make us!
*three hour later, Asuka has binoculars, while Samuel is at sniper*
Asuka: Target spotted. Delivery team is bringing Devil's machine in.
Samuel: See them... target acquired...
*explosive round flies, blowing up
UberNimrod
I scared Setsuna with my bad decisions.
- Location
- Between Hither and Yon.
[reads the above] Are we allowed to contribute omakes? Even if they might not have anything to do with the story?
Lord Sovereign
The Emperor of shitty fanfic
- Location
- England
Lord Sovereign permits this.
Teh musics 2
Lord Sovereign
The Emperor of shitty fanfic
- Location
- England
Now then, as the next segment nears completion (should be done by the end of the week) I have a small selection of music for you all. These are pieces which I wish to be associated with the Empire in particular, hence why it shall be called "the Imperial suite." Perhaps, through the power of sound, I may be able to partially convey the character of one of the largest Empires in history.
Hail Britain...
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The Imperial suite
The Empire of Britain: Leitmotif of Britain/ Samuel
Imperial might: Leitmotif of the Imperial Britannic Armed Forces
Lion's assault: Played whenever the Empire goes on the offensive/ does something cool in terms of action scenes.
Empire's wrath:
Lion's roar: National anthem of the Great British Empire
Hail Britain...
----------------------------------------
The Imperial suite
The Empire of Britain: Leitmotif of Britain/ Samuel
Imperial might: Leitmotif of the Imperial Britannic Armed Forces
Lion's assault: Played whenever the Empire goes on the offensive/ does something cool in terms of action scenes.
Empire's wrath:
Unit 03 berserk theme
Lion's roar: National anthem of the Great British Empire
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Lord Sovereign
The Emperor of shitty fanfic
- Location
- England
I get the distinct impression I'm not very well liked over on those sites... Alas, one can't please everyone, and you lot seem reasonably happy with the shit I do so I can't complain.
Also, according to some people, I've apparently "missed the point" of NGE quite drastically...
you took it into a somewhat different ganre-and the result, while itself good, is quite AU, as you focused on things that were of little importance in NGE, and filled blanks or changed the world setting to fit it-some people don't like either of those . There is quite the debate about a certain fic of an author called Vathara -the fic is well written, quality wise, but changed things from the series it was based on, heavily in some places, and that summoned an outrage...
fics like that, when well written-you either like them or hate them, with no middle ground. mostly depending on taste
fics like that, when well written-you either like them or hate them, with no middle ground. mostly depending on taste
- Location
- Voidbetweenstars
On one hand, I could see how they could think that, on the other you most certainly get the 'point' well enough to utterly eradicate it when writing a decent story without focusing on bashing the point in the first place.
UberNimrod
I scared Setsuna with my bad decisions.
- Location
- Between Hither and Yon.
Not so much salt as general whining.
I am enjoying the tone of this so far. Yes, the pure NGE fans might whine, but this is not a character fic.
After all, the characters never did make any sense.
None whatsoever. No matter how 'deep' and 'meaningful' they might be.
- Location
- Huezil
Man i'm a evangelion purist, but i think that being a fanboy only to be pure fanboy is stupid. It's like on the metal scene with the Trues and Kvlt
- Location
- Can't read map
Meaning is?
Take you meds (author of anime had problems with depression... resulting in horror scenes and character problems?), socialise with others and send peoples like Gendo and NERV to firing squad?
What is there a "deep" and "meaningful"? All that misuse of religious symbolism surely wasn't what you meant?
- Location
- America
Well I read the whole thing so far. On the one hand the writer has an excellent grasp of characterization, the original characters aren't spotlight hogs, the new world is wonderfully fleshed out and engaging and the battles have been a joy to read.
The one hangup I have is...most of this reads more like a Gundam show than an Evangelion story.
The geopolitical stuff has always been one of Gundam's hallmarks, as is the use of giant robots as weapons of war. NGE didn't bother with that, although it was mentioned once or twice. "With four Evangelions we could rule the world." as Ritsuko put it. But the show didn't do that. Instead it focused more on all the reasons why you wouldn't want to be a super robot pilot. Either you'd obsess over it to the point of madness, the stress would destroy you inside, or you'd have so little power you'd just be a tool to activate a walking gun.
Your story's only a few chapters in, I get that, but it feels like that deconstructive element is lost. Shinji being more assertive isn't the problem. Half the point of Evangelion is that no one would ever, ever want to be an Evangelion pilot. That's what all the angst and drama was for. Here, everyone's being hailed as heroes of the hour, and while the fights are deadly it still reads more like a Gundam series war story. Dangerous, yes, but the introspective elements and the "reality ensues" moments feel sparse or lacking.
I'm not trying to be rude or ill-tempered, this one seems like one of the best AU's I've ever seen, but that's my two cents.
The one hangup I have is...most of this reads more like a Gundam show than an Evangelion story.
The geopolitical stuff has always been one of Gundam's hallmarks, as is the use of giant robots as weapons of war. NGE didn't bother with that, although it was mentioned once or twice. "With four Evangelions we could rule the world." as Ritsuko put it. But the show didn't do that. Instead it focused more on all the reasons why you wouldn't want to be a super robot pilot. Either you'd obsess over it to the point of madness, the stress would destroy you inside, or you'd have so little power you'd just be a tool to activate a walking gun.
Your story's only a few chapters in, I get that, but it feels like that deconstructive element is lost. Shinji being more assertive isn't the problem. Half the point of Evangelion is that no one would ever, ever want to be an Evangelion pilot. That's what all the angst and drama was for. Here, everyone's being hailed as heroes of the hour, and while the fights are deadly it still reads more like a Gundam series war story. Dangerous, yes, but the introspective elements and the "reality ensues" moments feel sparse or lacking.
I'm not trying to be rude or ill-tempered, this one seems like one of the best AU's I've ever seen, but that's my two cents.
Lord Sovereign
The Emperor of shitty fanfic
- Location
- England
Mmm, well said (oh, and welcome aboard! Thanks for joining us)
On the subject of "reasons people wouldn't want to Pilot a super robot", I would say it is still there (Shinji does not want to be there. He thinks of it as his duty, but he really rather wishes he didn't have to, in the same manner that most soldiers think) I just have no intention of letting it completely overtake everything. I try to balance the context of "giant monsters threatening all life in a world that's only just got back on its feet from an apocalypse", with the narrative thing of "the pilots trying to deal with the enemy and their issues."
Alas, with my rather limited view (Aspergers can make things difficult) all I can think of for reasons not wanting to pilot a super robot, is the possibility of being killed in action or the stress of combat. I do not want to write a deconstruction (I despise them to begin with) I wish to write a good, enjoyable, story. If I've achieved that goal, I'll be quite happy.
On top of that, never fear, we'll be getting to their issues. Later on in this story, the angst train will strike without derailing everything, I assure you.
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Chapter 9.4
Lord Sovereign
The Emperor of shitty fanfic
- Location
- England
2:45 pm, Monday the 27th of July, State of Japan, NERV Central, comms room
The Supreme Commander of NERV really hated these thirteen monoliths that glared down upon him with utter contempt. To them, he would always be a tool, one which the old men wished they could rid themselves of, but Gendo was cunning. For a precious amount of time, long enough for his own plan to succeed, he'd made himself invaluable. Nevertheless...he did wish SEELE would provide him with a little more freedom. It was already established he knew what he was doing, and the middle aged man reckoned the Grand Master probably would permit such a thing, but alas he had rules to abide by.
And so it was Gendo Ikari had to engage in yet another pointless conversation with the ancient apocalypse cult.
"What is the meaning of this, Ikari?" SEELE 02 boomed.
"Meaning? I was not aware that I needed permission to enhance our combat effectiveness." The bearded man responded, mildly amused by the mindless dogma which kept these old men from seeing things in a logical way.
"You know of what we speak. We can not risk the deliverer bonding with too many others. Only with the virgin lamb, and the time is far from right."
"And we will never reach the right time if the Seraphim are victorious."
"But what if the deliverer is lead astray by the falsehoods of life? He may not be able to make the correct decision on the ordained day!"
"I assure you, this is only a short term solution to a very real problem. Besides, further exposure to the more broken aspects of the human soul may push him away? This could work to our advantage."
There was a small amount of bickering for a few moments among the various council members, until Kasch sighed.
"As much trouble as it is, how can we attain Instrumentality if the Seraphim kill us all first? The Commander here speaks with wisdom." His words caused a hush to descend upon his colleagues, whilst Gendo silently gloated in his little victory over the men responsible for the death of his wife.
"Proceed with our blessing then, Ikari. That shall be all for now. The fate of destruction is the joy of rebirth." The Grand Master's words incited a resounding response of "the fate of destruction is the joy of rebirth" from thirteen other voices. The connection cut.
"I'd have thought them to be more stubborn on the matter." Kozo noted with a small smile, gaining no such thing from his superior.
"You would be surprised how even men of faith will cast aside their principles to survive. It is our primary instinct after all." Gendo said, enjoying the dark quiet around him. A true and perfect reflection of his heart.
---------------------------------
3:00 pm, Sengokuhara High School
"It really went that badly?" Kensuke said, quietly aghast at his friend's unusually sombre expression.
Shinji wasn't a cheerful individual to begin with, but to have an expression of something akin to utter despair and frustration was quite bizarre for him.
Spirits, this must be serious.
"Yes." The boy said, clenching his jaw as he walked through the corridor, bag slung over his shoulder.
"Wow, I feel real safe knowing those Eva Pilot elites are protecting us." Toji said, his words laced with sarcasm. It really grated on the jock, to see his friend be treated with such disdain by these gaijn baka who couldn't even take care of themselves, let alone fight off eldritch demi-gods, whose wrath he himself had bore witness too.
It had been a few minutes before when Shinji had explained the occurrences of the other day's battle. Of the talented yet impetuous westerners and how they'd both bravely and foolishly rushed into combat, before being tossed around like rag dolls by the combined might of two Seraphim. It had been a very good thing they weren't in today, or else they might have gotten an earful from him.
"You know, when you read up on all the horrible stuff that happens in war, glory hounds just seem like idiots. Mostly because they aren't going to find what they're after..." The nerd shook his head in disdain, his brain going over and over how on earth these two westerners could be so naïve. Hadn't Europe been ripped apart by conflict scarcely twelve years before? Shouldn't they know, just as well as his people, the misery war brings to all?
"Their pride is nothing but self destructive. I only hope it does not extend to others." Rei added, confounded by her new colleagues.
They have done little to deserve such egos, yet act as if they are their most important possession. Pride...it is yet another thing that mankind must be set free from.
"Well...you've got my sympathies for having to put up with them at work. But hey, at least you don't live with them or anything!" Toji added a little jovially, gently punching Shinji on the shoulder.
"I suppose so." The mousey haired boy shrugged, his mind dwelling upon those words.
Have those two Yokai under the same roof as me? In my home? I think I'd go mad...
"Speaking of home, what's it like being under the same roof as hot stuff?" Kensuke lightened the mood with a grin, his friend descending into a blushing mess.
"Gah...ugh...shut up..." Shinji mumbled.
"Aww, don't be shy buddy. We're all envious of you." The black haired jock said heartily, throwing his arm around the elder yet smaller boy's shoulder.
"Misato-san's pretty, but that's just disgusting!" Shinji shot back.
"There isn't anything disgusting about appreciating a woman. And Katsuragi-san is a woman to be appreciated...wow, dat ass." Toji mused.
"Dat ass indeed." Kensuke nodded his head, sagely.
"She is basically twice our age guys..." The mousey haired boy tried to complain.
"Hah, age is no barrier on love!"
Shinji couldn't help but chuckle, the metaphorical poking and prodding of his friends being something to bring cheer to the moment. Considering they now had five days to prepare for the Seraphim's next attack, he needed all the amusement he could get.
"I hate both of you." He shook his head, provoking genuine laughter from two people he considered friends, whilst Rei observed their behaviour with no small amount of interest.
It is strange, such words would usually mean that one possesses dislike for an individual. But here...it is almost a show of affection. Humans are very strange creatures indeed... Beyond her control it seemed, her lips curled into a microscopic smile, designating her amusement at the three teenage boys mocking and humiliating one another. Apparently, it had taken her progenitor's child some time to discover that whatever insults his "friends" threw his way were purely in jest.
It was apparently just how "boys" were.
I can understand the class Representative's annoyance...and amusement at the opposite sex. Their behaviour is truly one of nature's great events, and should be observed...I may take notes...
--------------------------------
Bidding his friends goodbye and escorting Rei back to her apartment, Shinji found himself standing at the entrance of the complex he called home, taking a deep breath of humid air before going in. Punching in the pass code, the electric door slid open, and he walked in.
Earlier he'd taken interest in what seemed to be a removal van parked up outside, giving him the impression they'd be getting new neighbours. Not that he ever spoke to anyone else in the building, but he did find it a bit strange, considering that as far as he knew all the apartments were filled up by NERV staff, and he wasn't sure if the world's most enigmatic and powerful organization was still hiring these days.
Aside from the very recent acquisition of himself, he doubted anyone else had been put on their payroll. Which reminded him, he'd have to ask Misato just how much he was paid. Considering the things he did, a little part of Shinji hoped it would be substantial.
He ascended the various flights of stairs at a leisurely pace, his day being almost completed as far as he was concerned. Now, he'd an evening of making sure the apartment didn't look like a crater, possibly making dinner, Cello practice, and maybe a ghibli film or two.
Shinji was getting hooked on them.
Upon approaching the apartment door however, he noticed something a little wrong.
Light was trickling out from the cracks, and there was what sounded like movement in there. Considering Misato was at work today and wouldn't get back until 5, there really shouldn't be anyone in there.
Gently, and nervously, he knocked on the door, a little part of him tensing in case whoever answered was not meant to be in there, in the illegal manner. The sound of light footsteps caught his attention, of bare feet on carpeted floor, as but a moment later the door slid open. The good news was, no, it was not a burglar or even a member of the "Free Japan" movement hiding out in there. But in a way, what stood before him could be considered even worse.
"Well guten nachtmittag, Shinji." Asuka said with a playful smile, the colour draining from the boy in question's face.
Hand on slightly thrust out hip, the freckled girl had gotten out of the shower scarcely five minutes beforehand, her red hair allowed to fall freely over her shoulders, a towel wrapped over them. All she had on was a pink T-shirt and some small blue shorts.
Asuka enjoyed how stuck between fear, annoyance, and attraction the Third Child was in that moment, as his lips began working again.
"S-s-s-soryu-san! What are...what are you doing here?" Shinji desperately had to fight the sheer horror in his voice, seeing the red menace dwell in his home.
"Haven't you heard, Third? I've been dispatched to impart my infinite wisdom upon you." Asuka smile broadened.
"No...no I haven't heard anything-" His blood ran cold.
"Ah, that's no surprise. Misato was meant to tell you, but she's kind of forgetful."
"Hardly surprising for someone with fifty cans of beer in her fridge! Bloody hell, does she even have room for food!" Another voice, one Shinji didn't want to hear about as much as Asuka's, came from the kitchen.
"That's not any good, Sam! Have you found the lemonade yet?" The redhead called back.
"Still looking! Don't know why I'm doing this though!?" Was the report in crisp High Imperial.
"Because you don't do enough for yourself. She usually keeps one or two bottles at the bottom! Keep digging!" Asuka turned her gaze back to Shinji, her eyebrow rising after a few more moments.
"Are you coming in or what, dummkopf?"
"M-meadow-san..." He mumbled in disbelief and dread.
"Jah, he's here too. Is there a problem with that?" She said a challengingly, her presence utterly eclipsing his own. None of the energy that had come forth from his lips that other day appeared. This was off duty, and here he was his usual, wimpy, self. Fighting down his own feelings of upset, Shinji accepted his circumstances, as he always had to, and stepped in.
"It's no problem." He said a little glumly, feeling this wasn't his home any more.
Damn, I liked it here as well...
This feeling was further enhanced by seeing his room stripped of many of his belongings and even his "lovely suite" sign.
"But...that was my room..." His shoulders sagged.
"Well it's not any more. You're lucky you got the smaller room, Samuel was after that one. Now he's got the couch..." Asuka trailed off, despairing humour in her tone.
"I uh...didn't touch the more fragile stuff. I felt I should leave that to you." She, in a surprisingly diplomatic manner, gently waved him off into her room, so he could collect his things. The boy had been a little worried about that. He wondered if his freckled colleague was still mad at him for what he'd said that other day, and had decided to take it out on what he'd regard as his "treasures."
But clearly, there where lines even Countess Asuka Zeppelin Soryu wouldn't cross.
With great gentleness, he picked up his bag and cello, and made his way into the next door room. Setting them down beside his new bed, he sighed slightly before pulling out his phone, flipping it open, and dialling Misato's number. It rang for roughly ten seconds, with Shinji having a sneaking suspicion his guardian was currently looking at her ringing phone and cursing her forgetfulness. Eventually, there was contact.
"Okay, I know what this is about, and I am so sorry for not telling you until now." The sheer guilt was evident in her voice, so once again Shinji could quite easily control his annoyance.
"It's alright...I've been thrown out of my room." He said a little glumly.
"...Unfortunately, Asuka-san is a teenage girl and needs a bigger room. Also we'd never hear the end of it from her if we didn't."
"I know..."
"They haven't been mean to you have they?"
"Oh no, not at all! Just the...usual..."
"I'm being let out of work a bit earlier today. I'll be back at about 4, is that alright?"
"That's fine, see you then." Reluctantly, he pressed the "end call" button, and pocketed his phone. An unpleasant situation had been forced upon him, and he would have to deal with it. Up until that day, his life in the apartment hadn't been overly unpleasant, the cheerful relationship he'd established with the chirpy woman who was his guardian, was something he cherished.
And now, he'd have to deal with these two shattering his peace. Because, as always, it seemed the universe had no mercy for him.
--------------------------------
4:15pm
The Lieutenant Colonel felt nothing but dread in her heart, approaching the entrance to her home. To be frank, the purplehead had quite happily adjusted to the newcomer in her life, feeling a sense of sadness their peace was now utterly shattered by things other than the enemy itself.
Not that she bore any ill will at all to her two new charges, especially not Asuka. Having cared for her some years before, Misato was well aware the freckled girl wasn't as bad as her mouth made her out to be. As for the Imperial...aside from his attitude in combat and his history, she knew very little about Samuel, or how to handle him. But, Asuka had said relatively neutral things about him in the past, so that meant he probably wasn't an awful person.
Nevertheless, taking care of three teenagers was most certainly not something she'd signed up for.
Yup, something's wrong with me if the Seraphim seem less intimidating than that...
Entering the apartment, Misato made her way into the kitchen, automatically searching for a can of beer that was to be desperately needed for the evening to come. Looking through her fridge, she found that which she sort, but also noticed the absence of a lemonade bottle.
Really? Didn't even know you liked that, Asuka...
"Oh, you're back. Did you know your lemonade is pants?" Said Samuel, who currently resided upon the sofa, poking his head around the corner so as to actually see his new "carer" as father had put it.
So that's where it went.
"Sorry, I'll get something better in my next shopping trip." Misato forced a smile.
"Oh tosh, I'll take care of that. Besides, you can only get the good stuff from the homeland." Samuel dismissed her with the wave of his hand.
Out of the corner of the sofa, stood a very small British flag, the sort of thing sold in the streets of Leopard on days of celebration. The one who'd jabbed it in, now had his arms folded behind his head, slight annoyance etched into his features.
"An Imperial officer, a member of the damned nobility, and I get cramped in here? Dear god, what sort of joke is this?" He grumbled.
You and me both buddy. Misato mused.
Removing her beret and dropping herself onto a kitchen stool, she opened the beer can and gulped down some good old fashioned alcohol. She sighed deeply, both in preparation for what was yet to come, and the relief of being home again after a hard day of work.
"Where's Shinji-kun and Asuka-san?" She inquired.
"Last I saw, she's in her room still unpacking, and he's in his room still moping." Samuel shook his head. Why anyone would need that much time to unpack, and why anyone would need that much time to get over something, was a mystery to him. He flexed his encased in white socks toes as an act of boredom, occasionally taking a look at the turned on television.
"Please tell me you can get BBC off this?" He said despairingly. Even if subtitles in High Imperial could be turned on, the boy would much prefer to watch it in his mother tongue.
"Well...it's a smart TV so...maybe?" The purplehead shrugged.
"Oh bollocks...it's a good thing I brought my Playstation..." The Imperial grumbled.
"...the Empire has Playstations?"
"Of course. Your culture is barbaric but your technological achievements are most impressive. We could learn one or two things from you I suppose."
"...I'm flattered." Misato said, not really sure how to respond.
"Hm, good to know that I'm not completely hopeless at diplomacy then." Samuel chuckled to himself, stretching out even more.
Years ago, when he'd had to stay in NERV Berlin as part of his training, the boy had proceeded to annoy or aggravate almost everyone around him, including the ten year old redhead he'd only just met at the time. How strange, the girl who'd probably hated him most, and vice versa, would end up as his only friend...
The sound of a door sliding open caught both their attentions, as Shinji emerged from his new room, his expression lightning slightly upon seeing the cheerful woman who took care of him.
"Hey!" She smiled, warmly and welcoming as per usual.
"Hello, Misato-san. Did you have a good day at work?" His words caused her to lean back into her seat and sigh in an over dramatic manner.
"Would have been alright if the Imperial contingent weren't up our asses all the time. I mean, Spirits, the Germans are sticklers for regulations but the Brits...just a constant No, this is His Imperial Majesty's property, and it can only be handled by his loyal servants." She said, mimicking the blunt and straightforward manner of Colonel Bradsworth, commander of the Imperial army contingent assigned to guard Unit 03, roughly two thousand soldiers altogether of the 3rd Kent Regiment.
It had been very unnerving for the Section 4 staff to be either watched under the constant barrel of an SA85 "Talevera" assault rifle, or chased off with bayonets by the red face plated Imperial soldiers.
The Germans meanwhile had been more understanding. Staff were allowed to work on Unit 02 after showing their ID cards, but even so, the eight hundred soldiers of the 2nd battalion Saxony 8th Regiment, clad in their Sturmrustung grey and black power armour, were a sight that provoked deathly fear.
Sure puts my poor Section 3 to shame.
Shinji couldn't help but smile back at his guardian, her comically childish nature always being something to lighten the mood, no matter how dark it seemed.
"Could have been worse then?" He brought himself over to the table, and pulled out a seat for himself.
"Maybe? That's a big maybe mind you." She huffed.
They sat in awkward silence for a while, wanting to say many things, and many things needing to be said. However, the mere presence of another unwelcome party in this conversation was not at all desirable. But, as Samuel Meadow was a member of the Imperial nobility, he could tell when a conversation was meant to be private.
"If you want me to sod off, you just have to ask!" He hauled himself off the sofa and walked out onto the balcony, closing the glass door behind him.
With him out the way, the conversation could now begin in earnest.
"Why are they here?" Shinji asked sheepishly.
Misato scratched the back of her head and sighed.
"They're here for team building exercises. Command wants you to work as a unit, and thinks that will be helped by housing you three here for now. I suppose if you can put up with each other at home, then you'll manage in combat." She said, as if trying to convince herself but failing.
"...this wasn't your idea then?"
"Oh Spiritson high, no. Look, I like having guests, I like having you as a room mate, but three teenagers under one roof? Even I've got limits..." She ran a stressed hand through her hair. "But I suppose we need to make this work in whatever way we can. Right, Shinji-kun?"
Her optimistic tone making its return, caused a slight bit of warmth to fill the boy in question's heart. Reluctantly, he nodded.
"Whatever it takes." He said tiredly.
I struggle with them as it is during work...but living with them? I'm not sure if I can cope with that...
The sound of the main bedroom door sliding open, and the padding of bare feet on the floor caught the two's attention. Asuka entered the kitchen, a mildly curious expression upon her freckled face at the sudden silence which had descended upon the apartment.
"Private business, herr kommandant?" She titled her head whilst grinning, as Shinji said nothing, his ability to talk freely crushed now.
"Hey, Asuka-san. How's moving in coming along?" Misato decided to break the uneasiness by taking the topic onto something a little more light-hearted and as far away as possible from what she and her primary charge had just been talking about.
"It's so cramped in there, I'm not sure I'll be able to fit in all my stuff!" Asuka huffed dramatically, crossing her arms.
"Sorry if it's a bit smaller than you're used to."
"Oh don't worry, perhaps one day I'll find it within my heart to forgive you..." The redhead sarcastically waved all that aside, before her stomach began grumbling.
"What have we got in the fridge? I'm hungry." She practically demanded. In a manner which indicated, especially to Shinji, they were in no position to refuse her.
---------------------------------
It was far too hot here.
Back in the home islands, even during the depths of summer the temperature did not reach such heights. Thirty degrees above Fahrenheit, almost all day except for night, every day.
My god, how do the barbarians not go mad from the heat? Samuel used his navy blue sleeve to mop some sweat from his brow. Although it was stifling within his navy blue tunic, the aristocrat did not have the heart to remove his uniform, for it was a second skin to him. He...couldn't really imagine a life without it.
A life without service.
A life without the Empire to which his very being was pledged.
Gazing across the capital city of Japan, he couldn't help but feel some slight admiration for the forest of glittering skyscrapers, mighty FCVs hovering in the heavens, and the occasional squadron of VTOLs screeching overhead.
In some ways, it wasn't too dissimilar from Leopard itself.
Not nearly as grand mind you. There needs to be more gold and white, and banners for such a comparison...and the ships need to be more triangular with a bit of black and gold...also wrong noise.
The Susanoo class FCV was impressive to be sure, a match for most of its foreign rivals, but there was nothing which could go toe to toe with the splendour and power of a Dauntless. As always, the Empire's greatness was reflected in its aesthetics.
But still, the thoughts continued to nag. It was rather incredible, how they came so close to oblivion via foreign invasion, yet from the ashes built a grand and glorious city which should have been impregnable against attack. Granted, that hadn't worked out, but no one could really blame the Japanese for not designing their defence systems to deal with eldritch abominations.
No city, be it Imperial, Federal, Communist, Continental or Japanese, was built for such a task.
The sun was slowly beginning its descent to the horizon, where it would be swallowed up by the earth itself, and the world would be drowned in the crisp blackness of night. A flock of birds moved through the air, gracefully and artfully, with more coordination than any military formation he'd seen. Samuel unclasped his hands from behind his back and leaned against the balcony's safety rail, a slight smile on his lips as he watched this fine display of nature.
Not that he was a bird watcher or anything, but he did respect the natural world, or what was left of it, enough to appreciate its beauty.
He didn't want to go back inside. This residence was so...small, confined, and crushing to his spirit. Granted, Misato seemed like a decent individual as did his fellow male room mate, but...four people? Under one roof? Especially when NERV had all these resources.
But orders were orders. Kneeling before the hologram of his father, he'd been told as such. There was no anger in the elder Meadow's eyes, just slight disappointment mixed with a tinge of bemusement when the boy had found out where he'd be bunkered for the few weeks or so.
His complaints had been swiftly cut down.
"Supreme Commander Ikari has requested that you learn how to work with these people, and I agree with him for once. And as I am High Field Marshal, I act with the Emperor's authority. Besides...I think it may do you some good..."
Good? What good can be achieved by mingling with barbarians? Oh well, as much trouble as she can be, I'm glad Asuka's in this mess with me. I'd probably get lonely otherwise.
Speaking of which, he heard that loud voice which he'd come to care a fair bit about, echo through the apartment and even the sliding glass doors. Apparently she was hungry and making sure everyone knew about it. Something the staff back at Meadow manor were all too familiar with.
Leaning back from his observation of the local wildlife, Samuel sighed.
"It's not home...but it will have to do."
---------------------------------
4:30pm
It had been amusing to see the sheer fear in the redhead's sapphire eyes when Misato mentioned "curry surprise." Of course however, that was tempered by a similar sense of dread entering Shinji's own heart.
"Alright, Third, sitrep. Is she still scheisse at cooking?" Asuka leaned in, keen to know whether or not her former guardian had improved.
"If you mean as in she still throws everything in the microwave..." his words provoked a despairing groan from the freckled girl.
I'd have thought you'd have gotten better over the past two years, Misato. Gott in himmel...
"Curry? Oh I wouldn't mind some of that." Samuel perked up a little bit, only to get a quick shake of the head from his German colleague.
"Sam, this is not a Chicken Korma. You don't like spicy food, you don't like ready made food, so tip it down the sink when she isn't looking." Asuka said with no small amount of experience.
"I think fighting Seraphim might be a bit less hazardous than her cooking." Shinji numbly added, not truly believing it mind you.
"Nonsense, I've lived off army rations, it can't be that bad..." The aristocrat rolled his eyes, as four steaming plates filled with mixed, microwaveable food stuffs was slammed down in front of them.
"As your friends on the continent say, bon appetite!" Misato said cheerfully, tucking into her own meal, whilst Shinji and Asuka slowly and reluctantly leaned in to eat theirs, with Samuel muttering something about "bloody frogs."
A matter of minutes later, the Imperial had already disappeared off to the toilet, his stomach making many unnatural noises and unleashing some potent gas.
"Good to know your cooking is the high standard it's always been..." The redhead chuckled a little whilst Misato just laughed, beer can in hand.
"Even better to know, that whilst the Empire can subjugate nations, they can't stomach me."
This provoked a round of quiet, yet genuine laughter from all present.
"Even Pen-pen can't stand it...speaking of which, where is he? I'd usually get nudged in the leg by now for some food." Shinji queried, having not seen the flightless bird for a while.
"Oh he's in the shower. It takes quite a while...feathers and all that." His guardian answered, sipping her ice cold beer.
Asuka looked as if she was continuing to take humour from that, before her pretty expression became thoughtful, then slightly alarmed upon remembering something. This occurred to the brown haired boy as well.
"Wait...you told Meadow-san about Pen-pen right?" Shinji said.
The sound of sipping stopped dead in its tracks. A set of brown eyes widened.
"Oh gott..." Asuka buried her head in her hands, as a shriek of terror and surprise echoed from the bathroom. A door was thrown open, and scrambling around the corner, pants pulled up but trousers still down, was Samuel.
"Bird...shower...towel...explain!" He pointed an accusing finger at Misato, before the object which had caused him torment waddled past, his electric blue eyes slowly following it.
"That's our other room mate." Shinji said gingerly, the Imperial's confusion continuing to grow.
"You could have mentioned this!" He directed at the redhead, who grimaced in defeat.
"I...didn't think it was important..."
"They literally have a Penguin that can use showers and can dry itself with a towel! I think that warrants a mention!"
"His name is Pen-pen." Misato added.
"...Pen-pen? Is that seriously the best name you can come up with?" Samuel tilted hie head as his technical superior officer shrugged with a smile.
"Hey, I was fourteen alright."
"Fourteen? I could come up with better when I was fourteen...god I've got my work cut out civilising you lot." He returned his gaze to the flightless bird, as Pen-pen made his way back into his home, small fridge door sliding shut behind him.
"It has a house?" He said, dumbfounded.
"Yeah, of course. He's a Penguin, he needs a cold environment." The purplehead said, as if this were obvious.
The Imperial stood there for a few moments, looking hopelessly back and forth between Shinji and Asuka, desperately looking for answers, getting nothing but sympathy and shrugs.
"I live with sodding Pingu? Oh I'm just finished for today..." he muttered, swiftly making his way back to the bathroom, as fast as one can with their trousers round their ankles.
--------------------------------
7:00pm
Channel Ghibli was a seemingly inexhaustible source of entertainment, with whatever it had to show being a treat for the eyes, and a story for the ages. At least, that's how Shinji thought of them, as was to be expected of an individual who'd hardly ever watched that much television in his life up until a month ago.
But now, sitting on the sofa with Misato, Pen-pen curled up on his lap, glass of milk in his hand and some beer in his guardian's, the boy felt serenity for the first time that day. It was clear to him however, his home was most likely not to the liking of his new "room mates."
Samuel was routinely returning to the bathroom, many a gaseous noise resounding throughout the apartment. Shinji had a feeling the Imperial would not be touching their host's food ever again. Not even with that prog blade of his.
Asuka meanwhile, had gone back to her recently claimed room to do "things" which were not to be questioned. Along the way she'd complained about there being no locks, something he found quite strange. Apparently the westerners liked having total control over their doors, even when within their own home.
They're so strange...so loud, so rude, and they still want privacy? I don't think I'll ever understand them...
Leaning his head back into the sofa's headrest, Shinji let out a long and tired sigh, as if the weight of the world were bearing down on him.
Which in some ways, it was. As it had done for over a month now.
"How are we going to live through this?" He said despairingly, not only in reference to the battle against an enemy he could scarcely comprehend, but also the recent arrivals who saw fit to utterly disrupt his peaceful home. He'd originally thought Misato was troublesome, but now even she paled in comparison to Asuka and Samuel.
"I don't know. But that's the hand we've been dealt, and like always, we'll have to make the most of it...we've done it before." Misato attempted to lighten his spirits, reminding him they'd faced impossible odds before. But this was a different sort of problem, one that couldn't be overcome by caving in an eldritch creature's face.
"Yes..." Shinji nodded, not just with acceptance but no small amount of regret. Glumly sipping his milk, he decided to put the conversation onto something less personal.
"So...what are we doing about this whole teamwork thing?" His words became nervous as his guardian's lips pressed themselves into a slight grin.
"Oh I've got something I think you'll all like..."
The Supreme Commander of NERV really hated these thirteen monoliths that glared down upon him with utter contempt. To them, he would always be a tool, one which the old men wished they could rid themselves of, but Gendo was cunning. For a precious amount of time, long enough for his own plan to succeed, he'd made himself invaluable. Nevertheless...he did wish SEELE would provide him with a little more freedom. It was already established he knew what he was doing, and the middle aged man reckoned the Grand Master probably would permit such a thing, but alas he had rules to abide by.
And so it was Gendo Ikari had to engage in yet another pointless conversation with the ancient apocalypse cult.
"What is the meaning of this, Ikari?" SEELE 02 boomed.
"Meaning? I was not aware that I needed permission to enhance our combat effectiveness." The bearded man responded, mildly amused by the mindless dogma which kept these old men from seeing things in a logical way.
"You know of what we speak. We can not risk the deliverer bonding with too many others. Only with the virgin lamb, and the time is far from right."
"And we will never reach the right time if the Seraphim are victorious."
"But what if the deliverer is lead astray by the falsehoods of life? He may not be able to make the correct decision on the ordained day!"
"I assure you, this is only a short term solution to a very real problem. Besides, further exposure to the more broken aspects of the human soul may push him away? This could work to our advantage."
There was a small amount of bickering for a few moments among the various council members, until Kasch sighed.
"As much trouble as it is, how can we attain Instrumentality if the Seraphim kill us all first? The Commander here speaks with wisdom." His words caused a hush to descend upon his colleagues, whilst Gendo silently gloated in his little victory over the men responsible for the death of his wife.
"Proceed with our blessing then, Ikari. That shall be all for now. The fate of destruction is the joy of rebirth." The Grand Master's words incited a resounding response of "the fate of destruction is the joy of rebirth" from thirteen other voices. The connection cut.
"I'd have thought them to be more stubborn on the matter." Kozo noted with a small smile, gaining no such thing from his superior.
"You would be surprised how even men of faith will cast aside their principles to survive. It is our primary instinct after all." Gendo said, enjoying the dark quiet around him. A true and perfect reflection of his heart.
---------------------------------
3:00 pm, Sengokuhara High School
"It really went that badly?" Kensuke said, quietly aghast at his friend's unusually sombre expression.
Shinji wasn't a cheerful individual to begin with, but to have an expression of something akin to utter despair and frustration was quite bizarre for him.
Spirits, this must be serious.
"Yes." The boy said, clenching his jaw as he walked through the corridor, bag slung over his shoulder.
"Wow, I feel real safe knowing those Eva Pilot elites are protecting us." Toji said, his words laced with sarcasm. It really grated on the jock, to see his friend be treated with such disdain by these gaijn baka who couldn't even take care of themselves, let alone fight off eldritch demi-gods, whose wrath he himself had bore witness too.
It had been a few minutes before when Shinji had explained the occurrences of the other day's battle. Of the talented yet impetuous westerners and how they'd both bravely and foolishly rushed into combat, before being tossed around like rag dolls by the combined might of two Seraphim. It had been a very good thing they weren't in today, or else they might have gotten an earful from him.
"You know, when you read up on all the horrible stuff that happens in war, glory hounds just seem like idiots. Mostly because they aren't going to find what they're after..." The nerd shook his head in disdain, his brain going over and over how on earth these two westerners could be so naïve. Hadn't Europe been ripped apart by conflict scarcely twelve years before? Shouldn't they know, just as well as his people, the misery war brings to all?
"Their pride is nothing but self destructive. I only hope it does not extend to others." Rei added, confounded by her new colleagues.
They have done little to deserve such egos, yet act as if they are their most important possession. Pride...it is yet another thing that mankind must be set free from.
"Well...you've got my sympathies for having to put up with them at work. But hey, at least you don't live with them or anything!" Toji added a little jovially, gently punching Shinji on the shoulder.
"I suppose so." The mousey haired boy shrugged, his mind dwelling upon those words.
Have those two Yokai under the same roof as me? In my home? I think I'd go mad...
"Speaking of home, what's it like being under the same roof as hot stuff?" Kensuke lightened the mood with a grin, his friend descending into a blushing mess.
"Gah...ugh...shut up..." Shinji mumbled.
"Aww, don't be shy buddy. We're all envious of you." The black haired jock said heartily, throwing his arm around the elder yet smaller boy's shoulder.
"Misato-san's pretty, but that's just disgusting!" Shinji shot back.
"There isn't anything disgusting about appreciating a woman. And Katsuragi-san is a woman to be appreciated...wow, dat ass." Toji mused.
"Dat ass indeed." Kensuke nodded his head, sagely.
"She is basically twice our age guys..." The mousey haired boy tried to complain.
"Hah, age is no barrier on love!"
Shinji couldn't help but chuckle, the metaphorical poking and prodding of his friends being something to bring cheer to the moment. Considering they now had five days to prepare for the Seraphim's next attack, he needed all the amusement he could get.
"I hate both of you." He shook his head, provoking genuine laughter from two people he considered friends, whilst Rei observed their behaviour with no small amount of interest.
It is strange, such words would usually mean that one possesses dislike for an individual. But here...it is almost a show of affection. Humans are very strange creatures indeed... Beyond her control it seemed, her lips curled into a microscopic smile, designating her amusement at the three teenage boys mocking and humiliating one another. Apparently, it had taken her progenitor's child some time to discover that whatever insults his "friends" threw his way were purely in jest.
It was apparently just how "boys" were.
I can understand the class Representative's annoyance...and amusement at the opposite sex. Their behaviour is truly one of nature's great events, and should be observed...I may take notes...
--------------------------------
Bidding his friends goodbye and escorting Rei back to her apartment, Shinji found himself standing at the entrance of the complex he called home, taking a deep breath of humid air before going in. Punching in the pass code, the electric door slid open, and he walked in.
Earlier he'd taken interest in what seemed to be a removal van parked up outside, giving him the impression they'd be getting new neighbours. Not that he ever spoke to anyone else in the building, but he did find it a bit strange, considering that as far as he knew all the apartments were filled up by NERV staff, and he wasn't sure if the world's most enigmatic and powerful organization was still hiring these days.
Aside from the very recent acquisition of himself, he doubted anyone else had been put on their payroll. Which reminded him, he'd have to ask Misato just how much he was paid. Considering the things he did, a little part of Shinji hoped it would be substantial.
He ascended the various flights of stairs at a leisurely pace, his day being almost completed as far as he was concerned. Now, he'd an evening of making sure the apartment didn't look like a crater, possibly making dinner, Cello practice, and maybe a ghibli film or two.
Shinji was getting hooked on them.
Upon approaching the apartment door however, he noticed something a little wrong.
Light was trickling out from the cracks, and there was what sounded like movement in there. Considering Misato was at work today and wouldn't get back until 5, there really shouldn't be anyone in there.
Gently, and nervously, he knocked on the door, a little part of him tensing in case whoever answered was not meant to be in there, in the illegal manner. The sound of light footsteps caught his attention, of bare feet on carpeted floor, as but a moment later the door slid open. The good news was, no, it was not a burglar or even a member of the "Free Japan" movement hiding out in there. But in a way, what stood before him could be considered even worse.
"Well guten nachtmittag, Shinji." Asuka said with a playful smile, the colour draining from the boy in question's face.
Hand on slightly thrust out hip, the freckled girl had gotten out of the shower scarcely five minutes beforehand, her red hair allowed to fall freely over her shoulders, a towel wrapped over them. All she had on was a pink T-shirt and some small blue shorts.
Asuka enjoyed how stuck between fear, annoyance, and attraction the Third Child was in that moment, as his lips began working again.
"S-s-s-soryu-san! What are...what are you doing here?" Shinji desperately had to fight the sheer horror in his voice, seeing the red menace dwell in his home.
"Haven't you heard, Third? I've been dispatched to impart my infinite wisdom upon you." Asuka smile broadened.
"No...no I haven't heard anything-" His blood ran cold.
"Ah, that's no surprise. Misato was meant to tell you, but she's kind of forgetful."
"Hardly surprising for someone with fifty cans of beer in her fridge! Bloody hell, does she even have room for food!" Another voice, one Shinji didn't want to hear about as much as Asuka's, came from the kitchen.
"That's not any good, Sam! Have you found the lemonade yet?" The redhead called back.
"Still looking! Don't know why I'm doing this though!?" Was the report in crisp High Imperial.
"Because you don't do enough for yourself. She usually keeps one or two bottles at the bottom! Keep digging!" Asuka turned her gaze back to Shinji, her eyebrow rising after a few more moments.
"Are you coming in or what, dummkopf?"
"M-meadow-san..." He mumbled in disbelief and dread.
"Jah, he's here too. Is there a problem with that?" She said a challengingly, her presence utterly eclipsing his own. None of the energy that had come forth from his lips that other day appeared. This was off duty, and here he was his usual, wimpy, self. Fighting down his own feelings of upset, Shinji accepted his circumstances, as he always had to, and stepped in.
"It's no problem." He said a little glumly, feeling this wasn't his home any more.
Damn, I liked it here as well...
This feeling was further enhanced by seeing his room stripped of many of his belongings and even his "lovely suite" sign.
"But...that was my room..." His shoulders sagged.
"Well it's not any more. You're lucky you got the smaller room, Samuel was after that one. Now he's got the couch..." Asuka trailed off, despairing humour in her tone.
"I uh...didn't touch the more fragile stuff. I felt I should leave that to you." She, in a surprisingly diplomatic manner, gently waved him off into her room, so he could collect his things. The boy had been a little worried about that. He wondered if his freckled colleague was still mad at him for what he'd said that other day, and had decided to take it out on what he'd regard as his "treasures."
But clearly, there where lines even Countess Asuka Zeppelin Soryu wouldn't cross.
With great gentleness, he picked up his bag and cello, and made his way into the next door room. Setting them down beside his new bed, he sighed slightly before pulling out his phone, flipping it open, and dialling Misato's number. It rang for roughly ten seconds, with Shinji having a sneaking suspicion his guardian was currently looking at her ringing phone and cursing her forgetfulness. Eventually, there was contact.
"Okay, I know what this is about, and I am so sorry for not telling you until now." The sheer guilt was evident in her voice, so once again Shinji could quite easily control his annoyance.
"It's alright...I've been thrown out of my room." He said a little glumly.
"...Unfortunately, Asuka-san is a teenage girl and needs a bigger room. Also we'd never hear the end of it from her if we didn't."
"I know..."
"They haven't been mean to you have they?"
"Oh no, not at all! Just the...usual..."
"I'm being let out of work a bit earlier today. I'll be back at about 4, is that alright?"
"That's fine, see you then." Reluctantly, he pressed the "end call" button, and pocketed his phone. An unpleasant situation had been forced upon him, and he would have to deal with it. Up until that day, his life in the apartment hadn't been overly unpleasant, the cheerful relationship he'd established with the chirpy woman who was his guardian, was something he cherished.
And now, he'd have to deal with these two shattering his peace. Because, as always, it seemed the universe had no mercy for him.
--------------------------------
4:15pm
The Lieutenant Colonel felt nothing but dread in her heart, approaching the entrance to her home. To be frank, the purplehead had quite happily adjusted to the newcomer in her life, feeling a sense of sadness their peace was now utterly shattered by things other than the enemy itself.
Not that she bore any ill will at all to her two new charges, especially not Asuka. Having cared for her some years before, Misato was well aware the freckled girl wasn't as bad as her mouth made her out to be. As for the Imperial...aside from his attitude in combat and his history, she knew very little about Samuel, or how to handle him. But, Asuka had said relatively neutral things about him in the past, so that meant he probably wasn't an awful person.
Nevertheless, taking care of three teenagers was most certainly not something she'd signed up for.
Yup, something's wrong with me if the Seraphim seem less intimidating than that...
Entering the apartment, Misato made her way into the kitchen, automatically searching for a can of beer that was to be desperately needed for the evening to come. Looking through her fridge, she found that which she sort, but also noticed the absence of a lemonade bottle.
Really? Didn't even know you liked that, Asuka...
"Oh, you're back. Did you know your lemonade is pants?" Said Samuel, who currently resided upon the sofa, poking his head around the corner so as to actually see his new "carer" as father had put it.
So that's where it went.
"Sorry, I'll get something better in my next shopping trip." Misato forced a smile.
"Oh tosh, I'll take care of that. Besides, you can only get the good stuff from the homeland." Samuel dismissed her with the wave of his hand.
Out of the corner of the sofa, stood a very small British flag, the sort of thing sold in the streets of Leopard on days of celebration. The one who'd jabbed it in, now had his arms folded behind his head, slight annoyance etched into his features.
"An Imperial officer, a member of the damned nobility, and I get cramped in here? Dear god, what sort of joke is this?" He grumbled.
You and me both buddy. Misato mused.
Removing her beret and dropping herself onto a kitchen stool, she opened the beer can and gulped down some good old fashioned alcohol. She sighed deeply, both in preparation for what was yet to come, and the relief of being home again after a hard day of work.
"Where's Shinji-kun and Asuka-san?" She inquired.
"Last I saw, she's in her room still unpacking, and he's in his room still moping." Samuel shook his head. Why anyone would need that much time to unpack, and why anyone would need that much time to get over something, was a mystery to him. He flexed his encased in white socks toes as an act of boredom, occasionally taking a look at the turned on television.
"Please tell me you can get BBC off this?" He said despairingly. Even if subtitles in High Imperial could be turned on, the boy would much prefer to watch it in his mother tongue.
"Well...it's a smart TV so...maybe?" The purplehead shrugged.
"Oh bollocks...it's a good thing I brought my Playstation..." The Imperial grumbled.
"...the Empire has Playstations?"
"Of course. Your culture is barbaric but your technological achievements are most impressive. We could learn one or two things from you I suppose."
"...I'm flattered." Misato said, not really sure how to respond.
"Hm, good to know that I'm not completely hopeless at diplomacy then." Samuel chuckled to himself, stretching out even more.
Years ago, when he'd had to stay in NERV Berlin as part of his training, the boy had proceeded to annoy or aggravate almost everyone around him, including the ten year old redhead he'd only just met at the time. How strange, the girl who'd probably hated him most, and vice versa, would end up as his only friend...
The sound of a door sliding open caught both their attentions, as Shinji emerged from his new room, his expression lightning slightly upon seeing the cheerful woman who took care of him.
"Hey!" She smiled, warmly and welcoming as per usual.
"Hello, Misato-san. Did you have a good day at work?" His words caused her to lean back into her seat and sigh in an over dramatic manner.
"Would have been alright if the Imperial contingent weren't up our asses all the time. I mean, Spirits, the Germans are sticklers for regulations but the Brits...just a constant No, this is His Imperial Majesty's property, and it can only be handled by his loyal servants." She said, mimicking the blunt and straightforward manner of Colonel Bradsworth, commander of the Imperial army contingent assigned to guard Unit 03, roughly two thousand soldiers altogether of the 3rd Kent Regiment.
It had been very unnerving for the Section 4 staff to be either watched under the constant barrel of an SA85 "Talevera" assault rifle, or chased off with bayonets by the red face plated Imperial soldiers.
The Germans meanwhile had been more understanding. Staff were allowed to work on Unit 02 after showing their ID cards, but even so, the eight hundred soldiers of the 2nd battalion Saxony 8th Regiment, clad in their Sturmrustung grey and black power armour, were a sight that provoked deathly fear.
Sure puts my poor Section 3 to shame.
Shinji couldn't help but smile back at his guardian, her comically childish nature always being something to lighten the mood, no matter how dark it seemed.
"Could have been worse then?" He brought himself over to the table, and pulled out a seat for himself.
"Maybe? That's a big maybe mind you." She huffed.
They sat in awkward silence for a while, wanting to say many things, and many things needing to be said. However, the mere presence of another unwelcome party in this conversation was not at all desirable. But, as Samuel Meadow was a member of the Imperial nobility, he could tell when a conversation was meant to be private.
"If you want me to sod off, you just have to ask!" He hauled himself off the sofa and walked out onto the balcony, closing the glass door behind him.
With him out the way, the conversation could now begin in earnest.
"Why are they here?" Shinji asked sheepishly.
Misato scratched the back of her head and sighed.
"They're here for team building exercises. Command wants you to work as a unit, and thinks that will be helped by housing you three here for now. I suppose if you can put up with each other at home, then you'll manage in combat." She said, as if trying to convince herself but failing.
"...this wasn't your idea then?"
"Oh Spiritson high, no. Look, I like having guests, I like having you as a room mate, but three teenagers under one roof? Even I've got limits..." She ran a stressed hand through her hair. "But I suppose we need to make this work in whatever way we can. Right, Shinji-kun?"
Her optimistic tone making its return, caused a slight bit of warmth to fill the boy in question's heart. Reluctantly, he nodded.
"Whatever it takes." He said tiredly.
I struggle with them as it is during work...but living with them? I'm not sure if I can cope with that...
The sound of the main bedroom door sliding open, and the padding of bare feet on the floor caught the two's attention. Asuka entered the kitchen, a mildly curious expression upon her freckled face at the sudden silence which had descended upon the apartment.
"Private business, herr kommandant?" She titled her head whilst grinning, as Shinji said nothing, his ability to talk freely crushed now.
"Hey, Asuka-san. How's moving in coming along?" Misato decided to break the uneasiness by taking the topic onto something a little more light-hearted and as far away as possible from what she and her primary charge had just been talking about.
"It's so cramped in there, I'm not sure I'll be able to fit in all my stuff!" Asuka huffed dramatically, crossing her arms.
"Sorry if it's a bit smaller than you're used to."
"Oh don't worry, perhaps one day I'll find it within my heart to forgive you..." The redhead sarcastically waved all that aside, before her stomach began grumbling.
"What have we got in the fridge? I'm hungry." She practically demanded. In a manner which indicated, especially to Shinji, they were in no position to refuse her.
---------------------------------
It was far too hot here.
Back in the home islands, even during the depths of summer the temperature did not reach such heights. Thirty degrees above Fahrenheit, almost all day except for night, every day.
My god, how do the barbarians not go mad from the heat? Samuel used his navy blue sleeve to mop some sweat from his brow. Although it was stifling within his navy blue tunic, the aristocrat did not have the heart to remove his uniform, for it was a second skin to him. He...couldn't really imagine a life without it.
A life without service.
A life without the Empire to which his very being was pledged.
Gazing across the capital city of Japan, he couldn't help but feel some slight admiration for the forest of glittering skyscrapers, mighty FCVs hovering in the heavens, and the occasional squadron of VTOLs screeching overhead.
In some ways, it wasn't too dissimilar from Leopard itself.
Not nearly as grand mind you. There needs to be more gold and white, and banners for such a comparison...and the ships need to be more triangular with a bit of black and gold...also wrong noise.
The Susanoo class FCV was impressive to be sure, a match for most of its foreign rivals, but there was nothing which could go toe to toe with the splendour and power of a Dauntless. As always, the Empire's greatness was reflected in its aesthetics.
But still, the thoughts continued to nag. It was rather incredible, how they came so close to oblivion via foreign invasion, yet from the ashes built a grand and glorious city which should have been impregnable against attack. Granted, that hadn't worked out, but no one could really blame the Japanese for not designing their defence systems to deal with eldritch abominations.
No city, be it Imperial, Federal, Communist, Continental or Japanese, was built for such a task.
The sun was slowly beginning its descent to the horizon, where it would be swallowed up by the earth itself, and the world would be drowned in the crisp blackness of night. A flock of birds moved through the air, gracefully and artfully, with more coordination than any military formation he'd seen. Samuel unclasped his hands from behind his back and leaned against the balcony's safety rail, a slight smile on his lips as he watched this fine display of nature.
Not that he was a bird watcher or anything, but he did respect the natural world, or what was left of it, enough to appreciate its beauty.
He didn't want to go back inside. This residence was so...small, confined, and crushing to his spirit. Granted, Misato seemed like a decent individual as did his fellow male room mate, but...four people? Under one roof? Especially when NERV had all these resources.
But orders were orders. Kneeling before the hologram of his father, he'd been told as such. There was no anger in the elder Meadow's eyes, just slight disappointment mixed with a tinge of bemusement when the boy had found out where he'd be bunkered for the few weeks or so.
His complaints had been swiftly cut down.
"Supreme Commander Ikari has requested that you learn how to work with these people, and I agree with him for once. And as I am High Field Marshal, I act with the Emperor's authority. Besides...I think it may do you some good..."
Good? What good can be achieved by mingling with barbarians? Oh well, as much trouble as she can be, I'm glad Asuka's in this mess with me. I'd probably get lonely otherwise.
Speaking of which, he heard that loud voice which he'd come to care a fair bit about, echo through the apartment and even the sliding glass doors. Apparently she was hungry and making sure everyone knew about it. Something the staff back at Meadow manor were all too familiar with.
Leaning back from his observation of the local wildlife, Samuel sighed.
"It's not home...but it will have to do."
---------------------------------
4:30pm
It had been amusing to see the sheer fear in the redhead's sapphire eyes when Misato mentioned "curry surprise." Of course however, that was tempered by a similar sense of dread entering Shinji's own heart.
"Alright, Third, sitrep. Is she still scheisse at cooking?" Asuka leaned in, keen to know whether or not her former guardian had improved.
"If you mean as in she still throws everything in the microwave..." his words provoked a despairing groan from the freckled girl.
I'd have thought you'd have gotten better over the past two years, Misato. Gott in himmel...
"Curry? Oh I wouldn't mind some of that." Samuel perked up a little bit, only to get a quick shake of the head from his German colleague.
"Sam, this is not a Chicken Korma. You don't like spicy food, you don't like ready made food, so tip it down the sink when she isn't looking." Asuka said with no small amount of experience.
"I think fighting Seraphim might be a bit less hazardous than her cooking." Shinji numbly added, not truly believing it mind you.
"Nonsense, I've lived off army rations, it can't be that bad..." The aristocrat rolled his eyes, as four steaming plates filled with mixed, microwaveable food stuffs was slammed down in front of them.
"As your friends on the continent say, bon appetite!" Misato said cheerfully, tucking into her own meal, whilst Shinji and Asuka slowly and reluctantly leaned in to eat theirs, with Samuel muttering something about "bloody frogs."
A matter of minutes later, the Imperial had already disappeared off to the toilet, his stomach making many unnatural noises and unleashing some potent gas.
"Good to know your cooking is the high standard it's always been..." The redhead chuckled a little whilst Misato just laughed, beer can in hand.
"Even better to know, that whilst the Empire can subjugate nations, they can't stomach me."
This provoked a round of quiet, yet genuine laughter from all present.
"Even Pen-pen can't stand it...speaking of which, where is he? I'd usually get nudged in the leg by now for some food." Shinji queried, having not seen the flightless bird for a while.
"Oh he's in the shower. It takes quite a while...feathers and all that." His guardian answered, sipping her ice cold beer.
Asuka looked as if she was continuing to take humour from that, before her pretty expression became thoughtful, then slightly alarmed upon remembering something. This occurred to the brown haired boy as well.
"Wait...you told Meadow-san about Pen-pen right?" Shinji said.
The sound of sipping stopped dead in its tracks. A set of brown eyes widened.
"Oh gott..." Asuka buried her head in her hands, as a shriek of terror and surprise echoed from the bathroom. A door was thrown open, and scrambling around the corner, pants pulled up but trousers still down, was Samuel.
"Bird...shower...towel...explain!" He pointed an accusing finger at Misato, before the object which had caused him torment waddled past, his electric blue eyes slowly following it.
"That's our other room mate." Shinji said gingerly, the Imperial's confusion continuing to grow.
"You could have mentioned this!" He directed at the redhead, who grimaced in defeat.
"I...didn't think it was important..."
"They literally have a Penguin that can use showers and can dry itself with a towel! I think that warrants a mention!"
"His name is Pen-pen." Misato added.
"...Pen-pen? Is that seriously the best name you can come up with?" Samuel tilted hie head as his technical superior officer shrugged with a smile.
"Hey, I was fourteen alright."
"Fourteen? I could come up with better when I was fourteen...god I've got my work cut out civilising you lot." He returned his gaze to the flightless bird, as Pen-pen made his way back into his home, small fridge door sliding shut behind him.
"It has a house?" He said, dumbfounded.
"Yeah, of course. He's a Penguin, he needs a cold environment." The purplehead said, as if this were obvious.
The Imperial stood there for a few moments, looking hopelessly back and forth between Shinji and Asuka, desperately looking for answers, getting nothing but sympathy and shrugs.
"I live with sodding Pingu? Oh I'm just finished for today..." he muttered, swiftly making his way back to the bathroom, as fast as one can with their trousers round their ankles.
--------------------------------
7:00pm
Channel Ghibli was a seemingly inexhaustible source of entertainment, with whatever it had to show being a treat for the eyes, and a story for the ages. At least, that's how Shinji thought of them, as was to be expected of an individual who'd hardly ever watched that much television in his life up until a month ago.
But now, sitting on the sofa with Misato, Pen-pen curled up on his lap, glass of milk in his hand and some beer in his guardian's, the boy felt serenity for the first time that day. It was clear to him however, his home was most likely not to the liking of his new "room mates."
Samuel was routinely returning to the bathroom, many a gaseous noise resounding throughout the apartment. Shinji had a feeling the Imperial would not be touching their host's food ever again. Not even with that prog blade of his.
Asuka meanwhile, had gone back to her recently claimed room to do "things" which were not to be questioned. Along the way she'd complained about there being no locks, something he found quite strange. Apparently the westerners liked having total control over their doors, even when within their own home.
They're so strange...so loud, so rude, and they still want privacy? I don't think I'll ever understand them...
Leaning his head back into the sofa's headrest, Shinji let out a long and tired sigh, as if the weight of the world were bearing down on him.
Which in some ways, it was. As it had done for over a month now.
"How are we going to live through this?" He said despairingly, not only in reference to the battle against an enemy he could scarcely comprehend, but also the recent arrivals who saw fit to utterly disrupt his peaceful home. He'd originally thought Misato was troublesome, but now even she paled in comparison to Asuka and Samuel.
"I don't know. But that's the hand we've been dealt, and like always, we'll have to make the most of it...we've done it before." Misato attempted to lighten his spirits, reminding him they'd faced impossible odds before. But this was a different sort of problem, one that couldn't be overcome by caving in an eldritch creature's face.
"Yes..." Shinji nodded, not just with acceptance but no small amount of regret. Glumly sipping his milk, he decided to put the conversation onto something less personal.
"So...what are we doing about this whole teamwork thing?" His words became nervous as his guardian's lips pressed themselves into a slight grin.
"Oh I've got something I think you'll all like..."
Last edited:
- Location
- Can't read map
Wasn't sure to post or delete spoilered part, would likely look as rant full of errors. So spoilered as it is not important to read anyway.
And for deconstructive elements... I would say that wrong characters are used. If it was average Joe, grown up on talks how glorious war and to be aSuper robot pilot ... actually no... EVA pilot ... still not generalised enough... soldier/warrior, you will travel and see world, went to recruitment office, got full training and then came to battlefield...
Then our hero Average Joe gets thrown into trench, sees friends die to enemy weapons (bio- or chem- for uglier death?), disease from lack of medical supplies, horrible quality of food, body horror from wounds, idiot officers sending them to die then retreat from hard won place, etc, etc... troubles just adding up?
Then he returns back home and can't adjust back to civilian life even if his country won.
How good is this for deconstruction?
-------------------------
Compared to Evangelion. Shinji had no chance to enjoy being pilot before deconstruction elements arrived. Potential death in fight with angels is and horrors of war are probably least problems.
Neglect by father and depression. Feeling less then worthless, except peoples depend on him to use EVA and he messes up there by falling on buildings, killing peoples...
He was thrown into EVA to fight eldrich abomination while he had no training or even idea that is why he was brought... At least here in this fic there seem to be some point why he had no training
(unlike Asuka who trained for years. What? Why she trained and nothing for Shinji and Shinji's classmates that are replacement pilots?)
and is so depressed, it being intentionally caused considering this talks between Gendo and Seele.
Then EVA units don't really have that much in common with usual Super robots by having souls of pilot's mother and being clones of eldrich abominations... They look that way just to calm down civilians.
Neon genesis evangelion is deconstruction of... something... not sure what, maybe human relations or what (and then EVAs and religios symbols are too distracting, wasted plot), but giant robots seem very low on list, almost included into show by accident (like those giant robots only able to walk on ground without sinking by using reality warping AT field)...
---------------------------------------------
I don't remember specifics of anime's ending, but checking just in case...
AT field is some barrier acting as edges of soul? Marks border to keep everything else away? What is making humans individuals instead of like hive mind spread over many bodies?
So in anime and here plan for Shinji was/is to get him broken, no self identity? Transform him into sort of mental/meme virus, that infects peoples souls and break their barriers, every ones souls lose individuality like trying to differ drops of water in sea? With Seele hoping to end up in control of that entity?
Problem with Shinji bonding with other is if he sees differences not always being bad, but sometimes also being just different or even good? But if he sees only pride and greed as reason for our problems, fights being done for pointless differences? That is fair game as it will make him interested into creating Instrumentality ending?
What are holes in memory?
Biggest problem is that Seraphs are not mindless beasts, but whole civilisation so it is a question if they will find out about instrumentality plan and how will they react...
Why wouldn't they be hailed as heroes if they are only peoples able to use war machines that can save the world, existence of humanity? (of course... Asuka and here Samuel got too drunk on that, still... why not?)
And for deconstructive elements... I would say that wrong characters are used. If it was average Joe, grown up on talks how glorious war and to be a
Then our hero Average Joe gets thrown into trench, sees friends die to enemy weapons (bio- or chem- for uglier death?), disease from lack of medical supplies, horrible quality of food, body horror from wounds, idiot officers sending them to die then retreat from hard won place, etc, etc... troubles just adding up?
Then he returns back home and can't adjust back to civilian life even if his country won.
How good is this for deconstruction?
-------------------------
Compared to Evangelion. Shinji had no chance to enjoy being pilot before deconstruction elements arrived. Potential death in fight with angels is and horrors of war are probably least problems.
Neglect by father and depression. Feeling less then worthless, except peoples depend on him to use EVA and he messes up there by falling on buildings, killing peoples...
He was thrown into EVA to fight eldrich abomination while he had no training or even idea that is why he was brought... At least here in this fic there seem to be some point why he had no training
(unlike Asuka who trained for years. What? Why she trained and nothing for Shinji and Shinji's classmates that are replacement pilots?)
and is so depressed, it being intentionally caused considering this talks between Gendo and Seele.
Then EVA units don't really have that much in common with usual Super robots by having souls of pilot's mother and being clones of eldrich abominations... They look that way just to calm down civilians.
Neon genesis evangelion is deconstruction of... something... not sure what, maybe human relations or what (and then EVAs and religios symbols are too distracting, wasted plot), but giant robots seem very low on list, almost included into show by accident (like those giant robots only able to walk on ground without sinking by using reality warping AT field)...
Is Rei here a lamb that was mentioned? She was to expose him to various quotes from Gendo like below?
And other comments like this about forgetting concept that make us to separate groups of humans, especially extreme use of those concepts (nationalism for example?).
I don't remember specifics of anime's ending, but checking just in case...
AT field is some barrier acting as edges of soul? Marks border to keep everything else away? What is making humans individuals instead of like hive mind spread over many bodies?
So in anime and here plan for Shinji was/is to get him broken, no self identity? Transform him into sort of mental/meme virus, that infects peoples souls and break their barriers, every ones souls lose individuality like trying to differ drops of water in sea? With Seele hoping to end up in control of that entity?
Problem with Shinji bonding with other is if he sees differences not always being bad, but sometimes also being just different or even good? But if he sees only pride and greed as reason for our problems, fights being done for pointless differences? That is fair game as it will make him interested into creating Instrumentality ending?
What are holes in memory?
Biggest problem is that Seraphs are not mindless beasts, but whole civilisation so it is a question if they will find out about instrumentality plan and how will they react...
Neepa
Always pondering story possibilities
- Location
- Germany
Absolutely fantastic!
We can expect quite the amount of comedy from this living/training triangle.
The best is Shinji has someone to share the redhead-burden with. Should make it easier for both.
And when Rei is included into it we can expect facepalms from everyone (or Samuel for the most part)!
Now the high imperial nobility has the equivalent of it's geographical territory......A small island inbetween.
We can expect quite the amount of comedy from this living/training triangle.
The best is Shinji has someone to share the redhead-burden with. Should make it easier for both.
And when Rei is included into it we can expect facepalms from everyone (or Samuel for the most part)!
Now the high imperial nobility has the equivalent of it's geographical territory......A small island inbetween.
UberNimrod
I scared Setsuna with my bad decisions.
- Location
- Between Hither and Yon.
Anyone else find it amusing and ironic that Samuel gets the couch?
Lord Sovereign
The Emperor of shitty fanfic
- Location
- England
Or the even more amusing fact, that there is a small Imperial flag poking out of it now...
- Location
- Can't read map
When rest of pilots get into Japan... Will Mitsuko get moved with pilots into bigger flat? Causing Asuka to swear for hours as she has to pack and unpack all her possessions, so soon, barely a month passed?
New pilots get moved into current place, crowing place even more?
Or new pilots get separate place from this group?
New pilots get moved into current place, crowing place even more?
Or new pilots get separate place from this group?
Lord Sovereign
The Emperor of shitty fanfic
- Location
- England
Putting them all in one apartment is a temporary measure (if they can live with each other, they can work with each other) but separate accommodation will be seen to eventually. For now you can just enjoy the comedy of three teenagers being crammed into one small apartment.
Oh, and only four ratings altogether. I presume not everyone found that segment up to previous standards? Don't be shy, I've stated many times that criticism is most welcome on this thread.
Oh, and only four ratings altogether
. I presume not everyone found that segment up to previous standards? Don't be shy, I've stated many times that criticism is most welcome on this thread.
UberNimrod
I scared Setsuna with my bad decisions.
- Location
- Between Hither and Yon.
Not the omake you were expecting...
...
...
No Man is an Island?
The sun had passed beyond the horizon well before everyone went to their beds to sleep. Shinji had gone first, followed by Asuka shortly thereafter.
Another 30 minutes passed before Misato turned off the television and staggered off to bed. Leaving him alone on the couch that would be his bed.
Well, almost alone.
Samuel growled at the other occupant of his would-be bed, "Don't you need to sleep sometime?"
"Wak?" came the reply.
Pen-pen and Samuel stared at each other, neither blinking nor moving.
After a minute, Samuel had had enough. "Fine. Stay on the couch. See if I care," he said. "Just do not come over to this side." With that, he leaned back into the couch and tried to sleep.
That lasted all of thirty seconds before the television turned back on. Samuel glanced over at the other end of the couch. To his surprise, the flightless bird was not there.
Then he adjusted his vision closer. Just in time to be nudged by said flightless bird.
The reaction was swift and decisive.
----------
The next morning, Asuka made her way into the living room to wake Samuel if he was not already up. She had finished her bathing needs already and now Shinji occupied the bathroom.
When she glanced at the couch, she paused to take in the scene before her.
The sole occupant was sleeping on one end of the couch, near the little flag he'd stuck into it. Just past the middle of the couch, one of the three cushions had been removed from it's normal position near the far end and was currently on its edge, jammed into the back of the couch as firmly as it could be. The far end of the couch was currently empty as the previous occupant had decided earlier to sleep in his own home.
----------
Saumel grumbled groggily, "Would you either please stop laughing or leave? I'm not in the mood."
Asuka turned down her volume to giggles as she remarked, "So, you had to build Hadrian's Wall did you?"
After dodging the pillow thrown at her, Asuka laughed all the way back to her room.
...
...
No Man is an Island?
The sun had passed beyond the horizon well before everyone went to their beds to sleep. Shinji had gone first, followed by Asuka shortly thereafter.
Another 30 minutes passed before Misato turned off the television and staggered off to bed. Leaving him alone on the couch that would be his bed.
Well, almost alone.
Samuel growled at the other occupant of his would-be bed, "Don't you need to sleep sometime?"
"Wak?" came the reply.
Pen-pen and Samuel stared at each other, neither blinking nor moving.
After a minute, Samuel had had enough. "Fine. Stay on the couch. See if I care," he said. "Just do not come over to this side." With that, he leaned back into the couch and tried to sleep.
That lasted all of thirty seconds before the television turned back on. Samuel glanced over at the other end of the couch. To his surprise, the flightless bird was not there.
Then he adjusted his vision closer. Just in time to be nudged by said flightless bird.
The reaction was swift and decisive.
----------
The next morning, Asuka made her way into the living room to wake Samuel if he was not already up. She had finished her bathing needs already and now Shinji occupied the bathroom.
When she glanced at the couch, she paused to take in the scene before her.
The sole occupant was sleeping on one end of the couch, near the little flag he'd stuck into it. Just past the middle of the couch, one of the three cushions had been removed from it's normal position near the far end and was currently on its edge, jammed into the back of the couch as firmly as it could be. The far end of the couch was currently empty as the previous occupant had decided earlier to sleep in his own home.
----------
Saumel grumbled groggily, "Would you either please stop laughing or leave? I'm not in the mood."
Asuka turned down her volume to giggles as she remarked, "So, you had to build Hadrian's Wall did you?"
After dodging the pillow thrown at her, Asuka laughed all the way back to her room.